Modular camera system

Abstract

A modular camera system includes a basic camera having an image forming optical system, image focal plane arrangement, and predetermined imaging and camera functions. The modular camera system further includes modules that are selectively attachable and connectable to the basic camera for providing additional camera and imaging functions and controls. The module includes appropriate module control circuitry for controlling the operation of the basic camera concerning predetermined camera and imaging functions when the module is attached to the basic camera to form the modular camera system.

We claim: 
     
       1. A modular camera system, comprising: A basic operation camera including a camera housing, an image forming optical system, an image focal plane arrangement and having basic imaging and camera functions; and,   a selectively attachable and connectable module for providing additional camera and imaging function controls, said module including module control means for controlling the operation of said basic camera concerning predetermined camera and imaging functions when said module is attached to said basic camera, said module including means for changing at least one of said basic imaging and camera functions.   
     
     
       2. The modular camera system of claim 1 wherein said basic camera includes basic camera control means, said basic camera control means including a central processor unit, said module control means including a central processor unit, said basic control means further comprising means being actuated upon attachment of said module for interconnecting said module control means and said basic camera control means whereby said basic camera control means controls the operation of said basic camera when said module is not attached to said basic camera and said module control means controls the operation of said basic camera when said module is attached to said basic camera. 
     
     
       3. The modular camera system of claim 1 wherein said module control means controls all imaging and camera functions of said basic cameras. 
     
     
       4. A modular camera system, comprising: a basic camera including a camera housing, an image forming optical system, an image focal plane arrangement and having basic imaging and camera functions;   said basic camera including digital control means and said module control means includes a digital microprocessor; and,   a selectively attachable and connectable module for providing additional camera and imaging function controls, said module including module control means for controlling the operation of said basic camera concerning predetermined camera and imaging functions when said module is attached to said basic camera.   
     
     
       5. The modular camera system of claim 1 wherein said module camera and imaging functions include automatic focusing and variable exposure or illumination level control. 
     
     
       6. The modular camera system of claim 1 wherein said module camera and imaging functions include film feed rate control. 
     
     
       7. The modular camera system of claim 1 wherein said module camera includes sound recording means and said module camera and imaging functions include audio level control. 
     
     
       8. The modular camera system of claim 1 wherein said module camera includes means for effecting a lap dissolve. 
     
     
       9. The modular camera system of claim 1 wherein said basic camera is operable with each of a plurality of different modules one at a time upon attachment of each of said modules, each of said different modules including different predetermined imaging and camera functions. 
     
     
       10. The modular camera system of claim 2 wherein said central processor units operate on a time shared basis to control said camera and imaging functions. 
     
     
       11. A modular camera system, comprising: a basic camera including a camera housing, an image forming optical system, an image focal plane arrangement and having basic imaging and camera functions;   a selectively attachable and connectable module for providing additional camera and imaging function controls, said module including module control means for controlling the operation of said basic camera concerning predetermined camera and imaging functions when said module is attached to said basic camera; and,   said basic camera including film transport drive means for controlling the transport of film at a predetermined rate, said module control means including module film control means for controlling the operation of said film transport drive means.   
     
     
       12. The module camera system of claim 11 wherein said film drive transport means includes encoder means for generating a signal representing the rate of said film drive transport means, said film transport drive means including first digital calculating means responsive to said encoder means for digitally measuring the rate of operation of said film transport drive means, said module control means including second digital calculating means responsive to said encoder means upon attachment to said basic camera for digitally measuring the rate of operation of said film transport drive means, said rate of operation of said film transport drive means being controlled at said predetermined film feed rate by said first digital calculating means when said module is not attached and connected to said basic camera, said rate of operation of said film transport drive means being controlled by said second digital calculating means when said module is attached and connected to said basic camera. 
     
     
       13. The modular camera system of claim 12 wherein said first digital calculating means is responsive to said second digital calculating means when said module is attached and connected. 
     
     
       14. The module camera system of claim 13 wherein said module includes programmable and selectable film feed rate parameters and said second digital calculating means comprises means responsive to said encoder means for modifying said encoder film feed rate signal in accordance with said film feed parameters, said modified encoder film feed rate signal being connected to said first digital calculating means, said modified encoder film feed rate signal corresponding to said predetermined film feed rate. 
     
     
       15. The modular camera system of claim 1 wherein said basic camera includes automatic exposure control means, said module including module exposure function means for controlling said automatic exposure control means when said module is attached and connected to said basic camera. 
     
     
       16. A modular camera system, comprising: an operation camera including a camera housing, an image forming optical system, an image focal plane arrangement and having basic imaging and camera functions;   a selectively attachable and connectable module for providing additional camera and imaging function controls, said module including module control means for controlling the operation of said basic camera concerning predetermined camera and imaging functions when said module is attached to said basic camera, said module including means for changing at least one of said basic imaging and camera functions;   said basic camera including automatic exposure control means, said module including module exposure function means for controlling said automatic exposure control means when said module is attached and connected to said basic camera, said automatic exposure control means including exposure encoder means for generating a signal representing the luminous intensity at the image focal pulse, said basic camera including first digital calculating means for digitally measuring said luminous intensity signal, said module control means including exposure control inputs and second digital calculating means for digitally measuring said luminous intensity signal, said first digital calculating means controlling the operation of said automatic exposure control means at a predetermined exposure level when said module is not attached and connected to said basic camera, said second digital calculating means controlling said automatic exposure control means when said module is attached and connected to said basic camera in accordance with the setting of said exposure control inputs and predetermined parameters of said module control means.